Coronavirus threat in Lahore: Business activities restricted to purchase of daily-use items

After growing number of coronavirus cases in Punjab, the business activity has restricted to purchase of essential daily-use items in the provincial capital.

Traders said that trading activity has now declined to 60 to 70 percent at least in Lahore after the coronavirus outbreak. They apprehended that survival of medium- and small-scale traders would be impossible if the situation prolongs.

Talking to Business Recorder here on Tuesday, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) President Khalid Pervaiz claimed that almost 90 percent business has ended in Punjab due to the coronavirus, adding that a single day trading volume of the province is around Rs 50 billion which has now declined to merely Rs 10 billion. He said people are purchasing essential daily use items only. It is worth mentioning here that there are at least five different factions of the APAT working in Punjab.

When asked about the reports of possibility of closure of markets by government to control the spread of coronavirus, Khalid dispelled such reports saying that practically it is not possible since a sizeable number of people earn their livelihood on daily basis. "No one (any government official) has so far contacted and informed us in this regard," he added.

Naeem Mir, central general secretary for APAT, claimed that the coronavirus has affected almost 70 to 80 percent of total trading activity. "Due to the end of social life of the people, the trading activity is also dying down," he explained. Many traders (large-scale) would be on the verge of bankruptcy if the situation prolonged after April 5, he wondered.

Badami Bagh Auto Spare-Parts Market President Mian Waqar said that the business activity has come to a halt and markets are presenting deserted looks. "Daily wagers are the most affected persons in this situation. The virus has affected nearly 40 percent of our businesses. The coronavirus outbreak is actually a "foreign conspiracy" against Muslims Ummah," he alleged.

Anarkali Market Anjuman-e-Tajran President Ashraf Bhatti said that trading activity is becoming "worst" with each passing day due to rising coronavirus cases and fear among the people. "The fear of this virus has destroyed almost 75 percent of our business. Before the start of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, the trading season usually is on peak but in these days we are concerned about our sustainability," he added. "This was the wedding season during which traders earn a lot but a ban has been placed on holding such events," he said.

Saqib Ikram Bhatti, an importer, also expressed similar views and said that prices of many imported products (especially accessories) have doubled in the market due to stuck-up consignments at ports. "Usually, the clearing of consignments from ports takes two to three days but now we have to wait for at least 20 to 25 days," he added.